Jeremy Balan, Sports Editor

In a game featuring 43 fouls, the final foul with no time remaining put PCC’s women’s basketball team over the top in their 82-81 win over Palomar College Saturday night.

The foul, which was greatly contested by Palomar’s bench and fans, put second team All-State center and 49.4 percent free throw shooter Kieisha Phelps on the line.

With 0.9 seconds remaining on the clock and overtime almost assuredly in the future, the Lancers threw a lob to Phelps as the defense converged on her. The whistle for the foul blew just as the horn sounded.

Because it was Palomar’s eighth foul, Phelps had a 1-and-1 opportunity. This meant with no time remaining, she had one shot to win the game.

Phelps calmly went to the line, while the referees cleared the floor and made the shot, causing her teammates to swarm her on the floor.

“I practiced [free throws] all week.” Phelps said, “I was not going to miss that one.”

Up to that point Phelps struggled from the line hitting only 3 of 6 free throws. PCC as a team also struggled, only connecting on 62.5 percent of their free throw opportunities.

PCC Head Coach Joe Peron spoke admirably of Phelps, who finished with 22 points and 9 rebounds.

“That is what All-State players are supposed to do.” Peron said.

Amid the jubilation and celebration of the Lancer players and fans, there was almost equal anger and disgust from Palomar and their fans. Almost immediately after Phelps’ shot went through, the officials ran off the court, followed by a handful of angry Palomar fans.

The frustration was not lost on Palomar’s Head Coach Sheri Jennum, who was very animated towards the referees all game.

“I have something for you to put in [your paper].” Jennum said, “We had the game taken away from us at the end.”

Peron felt as though the play was called fairly.

“It was a tough way for Palomar to lose.” Peron said, “But the ref had no choice, since they missed [a foul] on Easter [Faafiti] on the play before.”

The controversy of the final seconds overshadowed what was an incredible game, featuring 14 lead changes and 10 ties.

The Lancers were led by sophomore Anna Magganas, who had 24 points and 4 assists on 7-11 shooting from the floor. Magganas hit two 3-point baskets in the final five minutes of play, including a banked in try with 1:43 remaining to give the Lancers a 79-76 lead.

“We played hard and fought,” Magganas said, “We want to win State and that’s what we’re going to do.”

The Comets played admirably, as first team All-State guard Sabrina Gonzalez led the team with 33 points. Gonzalez had 21 points in the first half, as the Comets entered half time with a 48-45 lead.

Palomar guard Katie Girten, also had a large impact on the game, with 20 points on 6-10 shooting from 3-point range. Girten tied the game with 21 seconds remaining, hitting her sixth 3-point shot of the night.

The win gives PCC a ticket to its fifth consecutive State Championship Tournament and the Lancers will play their first game Thursday at the University of Pacific’s Spanos Center in Stockton, Calif.

The game may have been summed up best by an unnamed, off court official sitting at the scorer’s booth at the end of the game.

“I have no vested interest in either of these teams.” he said, “But that’s not how I want to see a great game like that end.”